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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Parramatta coach Jason Ryles predicts Jarome Luai will form a formidable halves combination that will help win games immediately, without blocking the path for the talented youngsters earmarked to take the club into the future.<\/p>\n Luai will join the Eels at the end of the season after Wests Tigers asked their co-captain to finish up early<\/a>, despite being contracted until the end of 2027. Given Luai has already committed to the PNG Chiefs from 2028, the Tigers decided to move the Samoan international on early in a bid to retain several promising youngsters<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The situation has allowed Parramatta to make an opportunistic acquisition for 2027, securing a four-time premiership-winning playmaker at a cost of just $700,000 \u2013 the Tigers will pay $500,000 of his 2027 salary \u2013 to partner NSW Origin star Mitchell Moses.<\/p>\n While some pundits have suggested it is a short-sighted approach from the Eels, Ryles said the decision was part of a long-term strategy, rather than a \u201csugar hit\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThe opportunity to sign Jarome came up and the thought process behind that was that Jarome\u2019s record speaks for itself \u2013 he\u2019s a winner,\u201d Ryles said.<\/p>\n \u201cCulturally, we see him as a good fit, and he gives us an opportunity to win now, but then also give our younger halves more time to develop \u2013 that\u2019s with his tutelage.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was our thought process behind it. When Jarome became available, we jumped on it and we\u2019re here today.\u201d<\/p>\n Some Eels fans are sceptical given the last stop-gap arrangement the club entered into, with Jonah Pezet, has not worked. The former Melbourne half joined the blue and golds this season on his way to a three-year deal with Brisbane that begins next year. Yet Pezet has had only a limited impact during an injury-riddled stint.<\/p>\n However, Ryles said the club was in a unique position after Dylan Brown activated a get-out clause to accept a life-changing offer to join Newcastle, and didn\u2019t want to impede the pathway of promising playmakers Lincoln Fletcher, Lorenzo Talataina, Talen Risati and Joash Papalii.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got some talent there that we need to make sure we give an opportunity to,\u201d Ryles said.<\/p>\n \u201cMy through process is when I took on the role, I knew there was some heavy lifting early we needed to get through.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously the Dylan [departure] took us a little bit by surprise, so we had to pivot a bit there. But I want to set this up so that it\u2019s sustainable and long term, as opposed to having a sugar hit.<\/p>\n \u201cThe biggest thing for me, I want to win now, too. Not just because we have to win \u2013 I want to win for our fans, I want to give ourselves an opportunity to.<\/p>\n \u201cWhilst there\u2019s a lot of good fundamentals put in place with our culture and how our coaching is, it\u2019s important to get some experienced players around our younger guys to help them develop quicker.\u201d<\/p>\n The combination of halfback Moses and Luai at five-eighth has great potential for the Eels. The pair has combined well previously for NSW at State of Origin level, including a win in the 2024 series decider at Suncorp Stadium.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a big believer that players make players,\u201d Ryles said.<\/p>\n \u201cMitchell will help Jarome, and Jarome will help Mitchell. At the same time, they will help the players around them with their organisation and experience.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s exciting and important that we get them back in one piece after Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked if the two big personalities would be prepared to put their egos aside for the good of the team, Ryles said: \u201cI think Mitchell cops a bad rap in regards to [that] \u2013 he\u2019s very team-first with our group at the moment.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s always helped the younger players. Whilst he\u2019s a competitor and the scoreboard means a lot to him, he\u2019s got a deep care for the young guys coming through, and he\u2019s helping out as much as he can.<\/p>\n \u201cI think they will both be fine with that.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Jarome](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/b31132a184c1ce85bf4cf7ff0e0000a4b6931436.jpeg\")
Jarome Luai will soon become an Eel.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Jason](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dec0885863d3804bae1691af24fd2fb0bbbdd906.jpeg\")
Jason Ryles is confident Jarome Luai will bring out the best in Eels skipper Mitchell Moses.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Jarome](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784097613_385_19d351a0d93c0e19093987ac3ad87fff0fb0704c.jpeg\")
Jarome Luai and Mitchell Moses won an Origin series in 2024 as the NSW halves pairing.Nick Moir<\/p>\n
![\"Jarome](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8aeb951176f64f159790cd9d3930e1ab42904f82.jpeg\")
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